Sorting-machine.



E. i. WiNKLEY.

SORTING MACHINE'. APPLxcATxoN man :una 12, 19:6.

Patent Deo. 3, 1918.

Z2 s SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E, E. WHIKLEY.

somma MACHINE.

n APPLICAUON FILED JUNE 12, i915. I

o ateme Dec: 3, 1918.

E SHEETS-SHEET 3- mi www E. WINKLEY.

SGRTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION F|LED1uNE12,19:e.

Patented Dec. 3, M918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

www fd,

Le. wmmvz SORTlNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 51? 12: 1916. n

Patented Das. M8.

pggy I I a SHEETS-SHEET E. E, WINKLEY.

SORUNG MACHINE.

I A APPLICATION FILED JUNE i2] Q. 92S,4? Patented Dec. 3, 1918.

8 SHEETS-SHEET I.

eff,

Eni-learns n. WINKLEY, ce LYNN, Meesecnnenrrsgessenon, BY nnsnn ASSIGN- Menfss, me muren enen nncnmnnr ccneene'rmn, en PME-neon, new JERSEY,

Speer? cation o Letters Lacent.

ieeeeneeqi nee. e, 1ere.

Application le June 32, 1918. Serial Ne. 3.63.1523.

To el] vtrimml it may concern x Be it known that l, EnAsrUs E. lVINnLnr, :i citizen of 1|ehe United Sintes, res'fling at Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Sorting-Me.- chines; and l flo hereby declare the follow# ing te be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such es will enable Others skilled in he art to which it appel-onine 'to ineke and use the seme.

rl`his invention relates lo e4 machine for automatically sortingnricles of a generally uniform character, so ne to separate them into groups according to lheir variations in roi-ni. The inyenlion is particularly applicable i@ the cpesatien ci sorting pieces oil? shoe-eicel, such es heel-lits, in accordance with Irhe form of their marginal or. pe ripheriil portions. end so es o separate those which here imperfections in the 'forni O the outline, rom those which conform to e given The invention is also applicable, however. io the sort-ing ci ve-ions other ariiiclee.

The generaal object of the invenion to prci'ince :i machine which will automatically present he heel-lifts, or other articles which are le he operated on, one-anyone Lie cletectinga mechanism which is :ulnpiecl to *ees the eniface ci? the article, and `which will rhere- :ifter iliechnrge the ziiiicle :it one point or zinifzher according to ihe clinvrzicteristics in the forni er contour of the surface tcsiecl by the fichu-Ling nieclninisni. lair oliicci oi' he invent-10i is le producen .m-,ichine in which heehlife or similar erlicles nini; he introduced. in the form o n slack. :unl iii which the lifts, effen gliey have heen iicicil upon by tliemzichine, shell oe ilischiirn'cd still in n smoked rie-limon', for convenience in handling" the :irlicles preinrninry to subsequent operation upon them. A lill ifm-ther object oi he invention is to produce. n machine oi which the detecting-- mechanism muy lie quickly and convenienly .fuljiisteil for the forni and size o?? the ericles upon which ii is to operaie.

lo lili/e foregeing ends he invention consiste; in he machine hereinafter described, as il, is ilcinef. in The following claims.

ln the :nfcenipiinying' drawings, Figure l is n freut-elevation. of zi i'nnchine ernhocl` ing the present invenlion; Fig.v i2 1s e. L eriiel Il. incre pnrticnfront-elevation, showing the inechinein the seine aspect as in Fig. l but on e larger scale,

A and with purs'brclen away to show the interior mechanism; Fig. 3 is a vertical section substantially on the line 3 3 in Fig.'- 1,

hut on a larger seelev than thelatter 'gurm Fig. #l is a vertical section of n deteilef the machine, on the line in Fig. 3 but one larger seele than the latter gure; Fig. 5 is e vert-ical section of the transferring mechenisin, on the line 5%-5 in Fig. 2 but on e.

larger Scale than the later figure; Figs. 5

and 5b are' detail plan-views of portions of he piclrenmechenisni,Fig. 5" being partly in section; Fig. 6 is n frontelevation of the detecting-niechanisin with 2ipart broken away; Fig. i" is a section on the line 7-7 in Fig. l, hut on e large scelethnn-the latter figure; Fig. 8 is e perspective view'showing,

in deffeil, che cooperation beiween one of the detectors and the templet and e heel-lifi;

Fig. 9 is e. vertical axial section ef the detectiiig-mechanism, similar to the right-hand, upper portion of Fig. 3 hn?. on a larger scale incl iiih the parte in clilerentposition; Fig.l l0 is an elevation, partly in section on the line liti-l0 in liig. 2, showing in end-view the `lilefeefling mechanism; Fig. 11 is e.

plan-view of the machine, with parts broken away: 12 is e partiel horizontal axial eeclicn of the detectingmechnnism; and

13 and le are horizontal sections, on iThe line lllll in Fig. 3 but on a larger Scale than the. latter ligure, and showing the parte; in two fli'erent positions.

The invention is illustrated as Vembodied in a machine adapted for sorting heel-lifts so es to separate from 'the perfect lifts those `which are imperfect in heir edge portions. ln dieingr-out heel-lifts it sometimes happens, 1from imperfec machine ope-ration and carelessness on. f:he pari of the operator, that the die culs partly ino :i Space in the leather frcfh which n liftY has already been cut, sc that lierc is n concayity in the edge of the lift. so formed. The present machine is tect imperfections of this character, and also imperfections which may result from holes or flaws in the leather which happen io be located et the edges of the lifts. Themachine is also adapted to detect the presence of .1 lift larger hiin the predetermined size, or having any projection beyond the ice adapted to test the outline of aiv lift und I* Y. ii. or zi ser. of

ii i ...rif-7 con? eiitly be forms if :lio form of dialing liz?. "2 which ro sided i'aclizilg.' upon :i ing rsieii'iiod liii rho gi ilo plof-:9. "26, ail as il. l'liien lie lisolflijf, L i A Jion, as shown iii :,iiitoiiiatioally moi' ci iii-4 -opsi'iiivo projections 30 oir da are brought into engagesiilgo of lio iift at oloselggf sii-- jiceA points hiiiiigg'iioii; its periphery. omi ei; or xii-terzi 28g (Fig. 8) correspond-A iiijj required :forni of' the iif miiV omswiif'fi la iii scalo, is than moved iforizoiiliilly izoii'iirfl the iiizior endg feelers. Jr i 'feeler pron/[dm 'zit ir:

rie and, wifizi rozirsifarrl project-.g

the empl At is provided with a, slot is flaptei 'io roceiio fili of the progeotioiis i l 27 .vli... the. roeiers are iii engiigoinoii. *with iiit of normal form. Willian suoli iis cass ilie teiiipie porforiiis a iiiovemoiii: or piecleior-iiimod rang/e5` zuid the heel-liti; is

Klier. discharged 'by inocimiiisiii Qoiiizrollod by the 'eiiiplet, this iiioclmiiisiii being arra'rigofi discharge the lift, under such-@ironinsraiices, on zr table provided for holding a stack of perfect: lifts. If. on tho other hand., the normal movemeiiu orltlio tomplet above described is pievorited, by origzig ii'ioiit of fiie surfioe of tino teiiiplr with the projsoi'sion V7 oii any ons of lio fodorsthis indicates lfiali lio isoler has eik-livr entered li coiicirity or ii'iiigieii-zotioii' on the odge. of lio heel-Hifi, wirt 1li i'iiis periiiititod it to iiioijo iiiii-aii'lly "ow LYC-inf. is iioiiiiiil posiiioii of eiigiigoiri i ilie. lift. or also lia-s seiiggzigsil n. part lii'? ii'liiffli ie? L i;' ls ocyoiul the ii'.

fhi'iriiioi' oiiiilino. r"lic iiiscliiiiiis l,

lir is siipiiiii'i'orl and irziiisforioil iiiiiiticzilly to discharge iii@ pon ai socoiiigl table, proriifler i't from tirs iorelfy separating iii.t :o viifg'iiggii, only dir miwi'ijiliifi'v o? iii@ mlnyis tlm illusioni-lumi ii. ivmfi my lfions iii nal portion, the iiiaoliino, by a iiioie'oii msioii of 'the motie of operation herein ilescribed, may be provided with roeiers pori-ions of iio aromas izo be. sorted.

T vri-rions mechanisms by 'which 'the :.iboi's @ascribed oyerstions are carriedL out will :fiori los described, Aloog iiiiiig with the tiiraiisforrmg mechanism which the lioelif is lioli and. is presented-bo the solermechanism, and thon discharged the proper point.

from@ of die machine coiiiprisss a central hollow column 32, and at the upper pf of liis coliiiiiii :i shaft 34 is iiiounsd to ro zito iii vertical position.; This sliai'. crrios, ai, is upper oiicl, casting comprising ,oiir hollow radial iiriiis 36. each of which arms is 'provided with what may be ai@ soribscl a. picker, comprising a, shank iiioi'es Within lio arm. The lzojr is adapted to seize @heallift in lie ier ,hereinafter described.. by engage- 'ieriii with ons of its lateral siirfiicss, und io lie lift firmlyv in the position iii which seize-ff.

Extending from ille iipoor part of the ooliiiiiii 32.21F@ four brackets, supporting tables 40, 44: and 46 which radiate iii the forni oi: zi cross from the column, is shown in Fig. li. The table l0 4is the food-liable, upon. xviii; io be operated upon. The tabl-e 42 supports the iosloi'i'iieolifiiisiiig `he table 44 receives and supports, in ii. sificlc, the 'perfect lifts :is iliov disclizirgo-l by the' transferringiiie-.olizmisiiig while jlie trible 46 rceivos rho iiiiporfoct lifts from the trans-'ferrizig-merlimism.

The four pickvis or' the. Transferring;- iiiocliiiiiisiii iro arranged to como to resi iiiliiiiiioi '1in Cooperativo rslziioii with iiiliosr, siipporoci by tire ifoiiz liiaii ro rei'oivo liroiigii space iiiiiiigr-iiii confio to resi, so tirati! "sii picker iriovos Afrom the, 'fowl-fable to 'riio ioiior-niociiiiiiisin, :iiiil ilicrioo io Athe two recoiiing-rubios iii order, and linzilly lo the feedlnhle again. For rliis purpose the shaft 34 is' iiioiiiioil izo roate. iii upper :incl .lower li is supported :i stack of ih@ lifts l thus its teeth Y@ olengegeinent with the gear 52 alternately Lesse-7i oevo-eonve'f'ra semi-cylindrical oer 5t, which is coaxial-With' the rod 5e, and hes heads 58, at its ends, which are bored to receive, and have hearings upon, the rode. The'roolier is restrained ege-.inst longitudinal movement hy engagement oi its ends v ith bosses on the colinnn, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The rocher is provided with ioehingieeth at its central portion, these teeth being adopted to cooperate with the teeth ot the geef so :is to look Geer und the shaft 34e against. rotation. The Darts are shown in looked position in Fig. e," out hy e nieve- Inent of the rocher in the direction of the arrotvin Fig.. e, the teeth t@ niej; he eisengaged troni the geur' 52 when the letter is to be partiel-ly rotated.

To produce the rocking movement. aheve described en erm 62 depends from the righthund enti 58 oi the rocher and is connected, by e, link Se, with the upper end of a Gonilever o@ which 's pivotully mounted on the inside oi. column This l ver carries. et its lower end? roller GS which engages o cuni T0 mounted on newer-shaft '72, This shaft, es shown puntioularljg in Fie. 2, is g'ourneied on the eolunin 32 and is provided with isst end ioose pulleys 7i and 76. through which it he connected with u. suite'eie source oi' power. The een; produces the "looking niovenient of the rocher eositiveiy, While movement in the opposite direetion is produced hy u spring 71 attached to the Qein--iever 66.

The rotative movente/nts oi' the gear 52 are produced h v slide ZG which is mounted to nieve upon the rod oei Within the space spanned hy the rocher. Shi lide has recitteeth 'TS indented to cooper-ate with the geen: The slide i@ has iongitudinel shoulders engaged by, the edges or the her 56 oi the rocker, es shown in Fig. fi, so. that the slide participates in the' rocking movement-i and are brought into und out eth (it) of the rocher.

sliding movements of the slide 75 oroiglueed by cem-mechanism. For this purpose the slide is provided with two lugs fm .Si L i 1 i w, unich enihioee the uppei end oi e oelluit e eiunlt eoiniever 82 'which pivoted on the freine of the machine. he lever 82 carries u roller which engages n cern titi on the power-shaft '4 The cuni produces moveslide nositiveigf' in the operative ivhile the idle return movement u spring SS ettfiehed to the lever eenstrut-tion of the. piek rg shown iig. -Eaoh shank FBS moves t1M here of one ot the furnis arranged to slide hei spring .Qi/2. terposed heemerged heed niet;

with e oep 93 screwed thereon. The sleeve has t portion which projects downvurdlv into a horizontal slot in the bottoni of the erin 36, and upon this portion 2i roller Q11. is mounted. Bf; ineens ot' this roller slitting; movements are imparted to the sleeve 910 end the sheni, 'hy ineehnnisni hereinafter described.

The piclter is provided, et its outer end, ivith lows 96 pivotullv mounted in radial slots in the shun t. Euch clinvv is provided with s sherp hook-shaped prong 98 which oe caused to niove outwardly beyond the end of the Shank when the ehm' is rocked upon its pivot, in such manner that the several claws will pierce and hold the suhstenee of the heel-lift with which the-picker may be engaged.

r'he claws are actuated by the engagement. with notches in the claws, of e flange 100 on the outer end oi: a rod 102 which slides axially in the shank. rihe inneil end oi the rod is attached to a heed 10i, which slides in s Central here in the shank. T he inner end of the here is occupied hv what muy he described as the latch-slide 106. Upon u transverse pivot-pin 108 in the hitch-*slide e; hook 110 und :i latch 116 are mounted. The hook is provided with e finger 112 adapted to engage the cap 93 when the latchslide is in its innermost position. A spring 11i/i, interposed between the latcli-slide and the heed 10%, und e spring 129 interposed het-Ween the heed 10% and the head o the shank. 3S, tend to hold the letolnsiide in its 'innermost posit-ion. and in this position ot' the ports hook 110 upwardly through e' slot 121 in the shank, so to cause its I1oeveled end to engage in en opening 122 in the sleeve 90. spring; 118 tents to throw the latch 116 upwardly, but in the rearlnost position of the latch-slide position hv engagement with the Wall ot the shank, es shown in Fig. 5.

The mechanism above. described operates as follows: Suppose that the pickeris in u position ot' presentation to e heel-lift; which is firmly supported the feed-mechanism, und that the i'ollerli is then inoved outwardly, that is, in the direction oi the heel-lift. The movement of the sleeve 90 is transferred to the shank 3S through the spring 92, und the shank no the Finger 112 tends to swing the the latch is held in depressed.

in vertical. position hy' v,'ger T12 is not :it this linie in engr;

ille lift 'with :rfixed "nbnment, i

thereupon moves outwardly in the leere of the shank, so as to compress the springs 1H :incl 120, and since the letter spriiie" is lie weaker, this results in :in outward nieveniern of the heed lOl and lie roel 102, whereby 'die claws are swung outwardly inte engagement Willi the heel-lift As soon as the (flaws have become fully enillefldecl in the heel-lift die movement of l'lie head 10% ceases, and furtllerine'feinent of the lnllclrslide causes furllier compression oftlie spring 1M. .Vhen the sleeve 9 0 has ne-.nly reached theV limil of the increment imparted 'ro it by tlielrnller Srl-ltlie lele-l1 116 has been breuglit te n pesiion oi .engagement with the opening 121' in lille Wall of the shrink, and die sgring 118 lren tzlirbn's ille latch upwardly inte this opening. it the. saine-time puri' ni' i'lie. opening L in 'the sleeve 90 is flirer|;l nlinsie the ripeningv 121,-sn that the beveled extremity of the ,lnteli'enieis ihe Opening' 122. Upen lle return irievenienl' elf ilie roller nl. und lie sleeve, tlie lzitelbslide is retained in ils: :if-lvzincfed relniinn to the slninl: li): the engage nient of ille lnlulr willi ille opening;- lil. The linol; is lilirevfn ont o if operative posi'ien, however, enggageinenf of beyelecl eni'l 'Yitli lie will el the sleeve, :ind since lille. lin- 'wili'ilie Cep 93,'tl1e henk remains 1n ile.- pressed posilion.' @Wing in the :nlvnneed posi'ion in which the latch-slide is retained by the lnteh, ille claws JG enn'inne in infill the l1eel-lift- After4 the picker in question luis been brought into coperatii'e reliniun with iliafeeler-meclnnii'sln il; may be :ignin nilnnewl. by the coperation, with the roller fl'l. nl" mechanism for bium-purpose, :unl sinffe the heel-lift is not` :if tliis inne ln'onglnb inte pesilive engage-inem. with any lined pnrt., ille pidan' cnn'innes to linli'l flue lill ilnrii-igktlns zilrannfing movement rind during' ille snlisw quent relrenting.inovemenl ln' WliiViilw lill'. is reninveil'rem the levier-medienisni.

lllllen the picker in question nus lier-n brought'. info one or :inntner lie ilisulmrgf ing [')usitinns il 'lien '0in-ruin n; .v/ii minnie ner as te project the lilfv inte .,Pngenien with eer'nln :ilnil'menl's nlrivlz nnsi'il-nl'e Der?, of ille reeel.iiig-merlinnissii, :as liereinni'er described, and l'lie :iz-rest. nl 'iie inn/rement fr? the heel-lift, which resul freni this engagemen.. results also in the release of the. lift by the pinkeln Cmisideringr Fig. again, it will be apparent tha with #he parts in the pesiiions in which liey were inst desrriliefliic ille outward moveinenbei: the shank prnclneed by the movement el iliemollefr positively sirresiefjl, ns liv-ille engage.

l in-'weineir n3 lie sleeve Si!) :mii i ie sln @wing in llns4 nim lle nnen ateh, causes the lard?. to swing downwardly until the shoulder, al: lle inner end of'tliis beveled surface, brought epposte the beveled lel"f-lIn .d encloi the. opening 121. liereupen Aune swings li V:incl 120 at once force the laren-slide inwardly in the shank, io lle pnsirien of Fig. thereby disengng ine; the leien? iroin alle sleeve 90' and. remnelisg' ille Claws from .gement with -lifn Usi-in the iei-irn-nnn'einent of tl. slide S0 it .again infes to iis innermesl position. 'finis f the parts te the resnin positiens 5.

marred te ille pickers .through Cle reilers :ari produced by the fein' l')ell -crenl levers V22. 125i, l slinn'n in Figs. 23, i3 and 1 are nioniitfefl en pivoslf) ring' constituing apart nif'elfiine, 'this ring be; 35 e iipp r end el' glie eelnmn EL". The lever' are lee drin iine 'i .li elle fein? *rabies entirely, and they have bi! urczitefl l upper enfls inio rezgistr)- with wliieli rile rollers l-lnre successively lerenglit by ille renrinn ilse slurf?,

The liellfvranl; levers are all :ietnaecl y, by engagement ef their in- `li n sleel eisl lS-l which is inl. These snppnrefl on of the frame n711 ing' niennei'l v pivoteil on e. sind 14s nn the frame er' il 4G with n imm-lever MS, und the eamlever carries :i roller '1.50 which engagesa iflnseil pntli in n anni. l5? on the power-shaft. This @sin .imparts positive upward und ilnn'iiirnrd movements te' the sleeve 136 nt 165 suitable times in lie. operation of the machine. :incl time tive or more of tliepiekers nre moved re ilieili' eucwnrally and inwardly ni the same time. v l

During the rnziry inm'eniens of the shaft lli) ill tlierollers .Cil are eine nl lille Control of .flieliell-erzink levers, and lieiz' posiiens and movements are linen 'leiern'iinefl by means slien'n pzirticnlarl. 'igs. and v plate .l5-l, nfliiel ennneelscl, by arnis'l, 115 'with the Emmering- 132, is provided with a slot 'lG extending eeneenrii-fnlly with the slia', and in fiiislet eacliroller is guided' as r meres rfmiy the feed-position, shown ai The lefvkI Gf Figs 13 andi 14%, to disposition 20 of presentation lo the feder-mechanism, shown in the upper-parts of these llgures, the piele-being ai; this time in its ret-nietehp sillon. t elle end 0f 'lie movement. in question ne relier is brought imo engagement, '125- wili the. 'lever sl, so the? by the ncivement met?. qnerl'er-reation of the.

rel/.er 9% in quesn a sleeife 135 'which s lideson the 95 machine. The' lever is cennee'ecl, by a 10S' ion may fellow 130 Lessen Y automatically by mechanism hereinafter detorvvardly along the rail 174.

scribed.

Assuming that the roller in question moves into cooperation with the lever 125, as above described, its further movement is through a path 168, by Which it isdirect-ed inwardly so as to avoid engagement With the lever 122.

This Inode of operation is illust-rated in Fig.

13. lf, however, the roller avoids the lever 126, as shown in Fig. 14, by following the path v160 it then avoids the path 168 and follows a path '166 hy which it is brought into engagement With the lever 128, andthe picker is thus caused Ato discharge lift.

at this point, which is in alinement vviththe table 46 for receiving imperfect heel-l1.L i

The last quarter-revolution of the shaft` 34 carries the' roller hack to the lever. 122, by Which it is then moved to cause the corresponding pioker 'to engage a heel-litt held by the feed-mechanism on the table 40.

The selection between the paths 166 and 16S is controlled by a gate 1,70, which is mounted upon the upper end'ot a short rookshaft 172 actuated by mechanism hereinafter described.

The feed-mechanism supported by theI ported on sprocket-Wheels journaled on 'en tical axes.

These chains are provided, at intervals, with angular lugs'178 adapted to engage either the marginal or the lateral edges of the adjacent lifts ot' the stach as shown in Fig. i1, so as to feed the stach intermittent movements are given to the chains to feed the stack after the removal of each lift by the transferring-Inechanism. For this purpose the sprocket-Wheels which est litt which may he fed, the spring 202l accommodating itself to the shorter movement actually permitted to the chains.

The advancing movement of the stack of lifts produced hy the chains isA limited by engagement of the innermost lift with stoparms 204. rlliese arms are mounted torook Lon pli/ots 206, and they are connected, by

links 208, ivith the upper end of a rod 210r which slides vertically in a. sleeve 212 mounted on the table el). A spring 214, interposed hetvveen the sleeve and the head 216 on the lower end o the rod, tends to slide the rod downwardly and thus swing the stop-arms into the operative position shown in Fig., 1Q. When a lift is to he removed hy one of the piolrers,vhowever, the stop-arnis are swung out of operative position. For this purpose the rod 210 is connected, hy a rod 218, with a cani-lever 220. rl`his lever carries a roller 222 which engages a cani 224 on the pov/'ershat. 72, and the Cain acts to cause the rod 218 to lift the rod 210 aty the proper times in the operation of the machine.

uring the engagement of the innermost heel-litt hy the picker `which seizes it. it is necessary to support this lift rinly against yielding movement which might otherwise he caused by the pressure of the picker against it, and for this purpose several or" the innermost heel-lifts in the stack are clamped at this time. The lateral edges of the lifts in question are engaged hy clamphloelrs 226, which are mounted on two slides 22B. as shown ,ilii'Fig 10. These slides have hifurcated upper ends which are guided hy a transverse guide-har 230, while the slides are supported upon and actuated hy a transverse screw-shaft 232, which is journaled in hearings ou the table Ll() and provided with right and left-hand screw-threads engaging corresponding threads in the slides 228.

The screiv-shaft 232 is rotated in opposite directions to move the clamp-slides first inwardlv, to cause them to clamp the heellifts. and then outwardly, to-relieve the lifts from pressure when they are ted forwardly by the conveyor-chains. Forthis purpose a pinion 23d is mounted nponvthe screw-shaft in position to .inesh with a geansegnient 23S. This gear-segment is vjournaled on the stud 19e'.L as shown in, Figs. 2 and 10, and is connected, by a ro'dll, With'a cam-lever 2&2.

l connected, by a link yieldingly 234 is mounted upon the United State Serial N ivith a. disk The cam-lever carries a roller 244C which en-` gages a com 246 on the poivei-sha`t. A spring 252 attached to the cannlever causes the movement of the parte by which the clamp-slides are moved toward each other to clamp the heel-lifts, While the return-movement isennsed positively by the action of the esi-m. l In order that the range `of movement of the clamps maybe adjusted in accordance -Witli different sizes of heel-lifts, the pinion screwshaft with provision forexial movement by Whiclrit` may be disengaged from the gear-segment 238. For this purpose Athe pinion is formed integral with a sleeve 236, which is Splined upon the shaft and is provided, at its outer end, with a kuni-led head 250. A. spring 248 is interposed between the pinion and e disk 249 fixed on the lend of .tlieshaft, this spring tending to hold the pinion normally 'in operative position, but being adapted to yield when the knurled pinion is bulied ont o Weirdly forthe purpose of disengaeing the' pinion from lhe gear-segment. 'Wriien the pinion is disengaged if; may vbe rotated by menne ofthe lnnrled head.

The feed-mechanism just described is not claimed herein, as it is described and claimed in an application for Letters Patent ofthe 206,184, filed Defcember l lil -,on behalf of the 'present :applicnnt, snid/npplieation being n division of Letters Pig/teni: 1,270,476, granted June 25. 1918 to s i/d nppiionnt. l`i1e-eonstrucion and operation-of the feed mechanism nre described herein only so for aS it is neeee'sziry' for an understanding of the cooperation of ille feed-mechanism with the other pari; 0i'v the machine. Y

. 'The feeler-meelninism will now-.be more particularly dencribed. Each feeier 254, Wisl. :in nrm 256 of n bell-crnnk lever, the levers beinniouni'ed in slote in :i flange extending ieemverdlv from the perii'nher;Y of che'pinte Qi, :is shown in Fig. 9, The pivots; ,of the bell-crank' levers are secured in plaeeby ir bearing-ring 258 removably secured to ihe beek of the flange. ln Fig. 9 all of the bell-crank levers' and parte associated therewith. eXcepil "ahose I et the section-plane are omitted for the :seize of elearnees of illust-ration. Each bell,-e1niil lever has an erm which exfeends i'ndiflllyltoivard the exis of i-he feeler-znechanisnil und which cooperates 2li-1. This disk is monned on n sieeve 268 which slides horizontally on e rod 266. he rod is lined in'en upright 267 on the frame of the machine.

The disl, b v its inward moven'ien on the rod, swings lthebell-cinici: levers in a direc'- tion to move the feelers outwardly and bold bem in their outward positions, While ine inivefd movemens of the feelee, by which nemesi they are engaged with tbe beeldifn are pro duced by springs 260 aeohed tothe lever-arms 255.

The disk' is moved by the engagement of iis; annularly grooved hub with Lne L7e. bifureated end of the upwardly etenf' erm oi' a bell-erenk lever 270, this iev ing pivoted on a Stud 272 on the frame e the machine.. The horiioniel of lever 270 is connected, by e rod 22551, the horizontal arm of n second bell-i.. lever 27S, also pivoied on lie frame. of e machine. The lever 2276 vconneoed, if rod 280, with a beli-eraniemmlever which. is pivoted .at machine? and which carries e roiler ope-rating 'iviih a, eem 286 on in e pow-er- Sba-ft. ,The cemprodnc-es positively zi more ment by which the disk 26% is engaged alii-h the vlevererins Q62 to more the feel i i wardiy as shown in Fie. 3, while 'elle o site movement of the parte is produ-ced ingly by a, spring 28S connected 'Winn cem-ieverBS.

The teniplet 28 is also arranged, o upon the rod 266, and it is actuated by een neoiiion with the disk 254:. For v i'be slotted hub 290 (Figjl.) of die is articulated with a forked lever is fixed on a rock-shaft The roe nA joninziled .in n bracket 294 projecting inv .viirdly from the plaie The enter end. of the lever is connected wiii :i rod which slidesl loosely through er hole in disk 26e and is provided, ai; its enter ei connected with an erin 302 on lie l end of the rochelle-fi. f

When the disk 264 is nioved'iniveid i produce ille outward movement theens` he spring 300 rocks the slinf che lever in a direction to canse Weird or reracting movementoi1 g plein, lie parte thus nssumingjlie fbosilions of Fig. After a heel-lift has b 'n brengLA inio posiion to be ac'ed upon by he eeier ineelnmisim'however, the diei is ,reirneied as shown in Fig. inns engagingiiie nnis 298 and pulling the rod 296 onlf-.vzi-idhe This causes the lever 292 io swing in :i ifecion be swing the' teniplet "iwa'rdljj ini-o the space between the ends of i'lie feelere, if, however, the ieinpie; id is me rescedby the projections of 'oi' more of ehe iieelfn7 ne sho vn in Fig, "3? owing to the fact. that n .ieoiei' bei; nesnn'ied en {ai} noimnily inward or outward p l l `n Consequence of zi defect in i'he ,il-lift, 'the seep-nuts 298 erre-si. the reirn. ovenieni of the disli- 264- before its compierelonl .Tine fae'tis teken edventage oiito eo'nroleneo@ nmrieeliy the dieehnrgen lili-e ii in qnefilion b3: rensfeninecimnism,

nassen 9, with a rod 30e which slides in a bearingsleeVe 306 on the plate 154. es shown in Figs. 5, 13 and 1li. the inner end of the rod 30e cooperates with an arin 308 iXed on the lower end of the rock-shaft 1611 which carries the gate 162.A lt, therefore, the disk .164 completes its full normal movement the corresponding rnoveinent of the rod 304 causes the lever 308 and the gate 162 to be swung to the posit-ion of Fig. 13, so that the roller 91's oi the picker which is at this time in cooperation with the 1eeler-inecha nism willbe thereafter guided into engagenient with the lever 126,- to cause the litt to be discharged on the table 4e. it, however, the disk *264e does not pertorin its normal outward movement the gate is not moved as described, but remains in the position oi' Fig. 14. The gate is always broughtI to this latter position after ,the passage of a prececing roller through the path 158, by the engagement of the roller with the heel 310 of the gate, in a manner which will be apparent from Figs. 13 and 111, and the gate remains in this position of Fig. 1e unless moved by the action of the rod 304 as above described.

-ln the case ot an imperfect litt the roller 9e passes through the path 160 as before de# scrioed, and it is then directed into the path 166 by the gate 170, The proper position of the gate 170 is produced by the action of an arxn 312 which is arranged to 'orin a part ot` either the path 158 or the path 160, aecording to circumstances. This arm is xed on the upper arni of a rock-shaft 314, which carries at its lower end an arm 316. The arm 316 is connected. by a link 318, with an arin 320 on the lower end ot the rock-shaft 172. It the roller 9e traverses the path 160 it swings the arni 312 to the position shown in Fig. 1i and by this movement the gate 170 is swung, through the connections just described. to the position in Fig. 1li, in which it directs the roller into the path 166. The roller then engages the lever 128, and the heel-litt is discharged by the picker upon the table L16. It, on the other hand, the roller 9e has previouslyr traversed the path 156, the arin 312 is thus swung to the position shown in Fig. 13, and the gate 170 is therebjvT moved to the position shown in that ligure. thus causing the roller to follow the path 168.

The mechanism by which the lifts are received and held in a stack upon the table 4A is shown particularly in Figs. 2. 'T and 11. Above'the table is a horizontal rail 322 upon which the breast-edges of the heel-litts rest. and in order that this rail may be adjusted in height, in accordance with the dilferent sizes of the heel-lifts which are to be operated upon, it is supported uponstems which slide vertically through the table. These stems are connected, bv. nins'326 at and the-n fixed in adjusted positionby turning the screw. A similar arrangenienti,` used in connection with the table 46, is more fully illustrated in Fig. 2. On the top ot the table lll are mounted two castings 2336 which are provided with base-flanges 338. These flanges are fixed adj ustably to the surface of the table by nieans of set.-screws 3&0 passing through slot-s vin the flanges, so that the castings may be adjusted towardy and :trom each other. At its inner end each' casting is provided with two arms 341 and 3&2, which support a. vertical pivot 34.4. rlhe heel-lifts are confined laterally by arins in the form of strips 'of resilient sheet-metal, these arms being mounted on the pivots 344-. Compression-springs, inclosed within housings 348 ony i the arms SL11, bear against the arms 346 near their pivotal points and tend to swing the arms toward each other, so as to cause them to press against and 'frictionally retain the heel-liits The castings 336 are adjusted at such a distance that the heel-lifts will enter readily between the pivoted forward ends of the arms 346, and means are provided for making this adjustment simultaneously and to an equal extent upon both of the castings. For this purpose bell-crank lezfers 352 are employed, these levers being mounted upon ,parallel rock-shafts 35d journaled below the table se. The uprieht arms of the bell-crank 388, as shown in Fig. 7, while the other arms of the levers are articulated together by seg mental gears.

rn order that the table is may support a long stach oiheel-lifts, an additional pair of spring-arms 356 is pivoted at the rear eX- tremities of the castings 336, as shown in Fig'.y 1, these arms being also swung toward each other by springs in the same manner as in the case of the arms 346.

To provide for the automatic release of the heel-lift by the picker when the picker is projected, in the manner hereinbeore described, toward the table se. i is necessary, as has been stated, that the heel-litt be pressed by the picker against an unvielding surface. For this purpose, and also for the purpose ot forcing each lift automatically into engagement with the preceding lifts and retaining the lifts at the inner end of the stack. the machine is provided with helical members 358 which are mounted. on short shafts 360 journaled in a support at the inner end of the table 44. in such positions that thesennembors overlap the end of the stack of'li'tswas shown in Fig. 'l'. These loo' levers engage openings in the base-flanges' 1367, 'as shown AVof. the shafts gears 368, with a horizontal shaft 370. The

shefLB'O is geared to one ofltwo vertical Vhelical members rotore constantly, and the Vvertical shafts are connected together, in

turn, byskeW-gearsand a horizontal shaft in dotted lines in Fig. 7. @ne $366 is also connected, by bevel shafts 371 which are analogous, in connection Withvthe table 46, to the shafts 365 at. the tahleee. yThe shafts 371 are also connected lbygears and a, horizontal shaft 372, shown in dotted lines in Fig.' 1l, and the shaft. is provided with a sprochet-Wheei 37e which is connected, by e chain 376, with o, sprocket- Wheel on the poweiesha't 72, so that the helical members et both the tables 44; and f6 arrotated constantly.

The devices for holdingl the licei-lifts on the table 46 are, in general, similar to those et the table 411. Diving, however, to the fact that itis necessary to provide for fewer hee lifts the table '16, the castings 378, by which the lift-rstaining` arms are supliiorted, cre connected pivotally v-:ith the table et their outer ends, are adjusted h v swingingl them about, these studs. Tocordinate the adjusting movements of the two castings they are connected gether by geersegnients 382 located below the .livable e6. 'The height,- of 'the support-A ing-rail 384 is regulated hy mechanism con- 'trollo-l b v s. set-screw 388 corresponding in function to the screw' on the tehlo es.

lhile the invention has been described particularly embodied in c .omcline for sorting heelJits, it will he apparent. that it is adapted for various other pnrposcs,cnd

.that it may he embodied in various other forms Within the scope o' the oiloiving claims'.

-W'hat is claimed as new, is:-

l. A sorting-rnnchine having, in combination, 'feeling-menne for engaging the outline o'f :i series of articles: and ineens, controlled lolvthe feelingenieens, Vfor separating the articles autonmtieally into groups ,according to variations in hei r edge contours.

). A sorting-machine having, in combine.-

'tion, means :For testing the peril'iheries of a series oiei'ticles; und ineens, Controhed hv the testing-ineens, ior separating the articles automatically into variations in the shape of their peripheries.

3. A'sorting-inachine having` in combination. feeling-ineens for engaging' the inargnal portions of'aselies of pieces of shoostool; to detect imperfections 'in the shape ginel portions by ineens oi studs 380, and i groups according to the Levee, .vi

thereof; andV ineens, controlled hy the feeling-means, for separating the pieces anto nictically into groups of perfect and iniper'ec't pieces. f

sortingefnechine having, in combina.` tion, feelingrfieons for engaging the'nier of a series or' pieces of sheetnmteriol; end ineens, controlled by the feelingeneens, for separating auton'ieticelly, from the other pieces, those havingn periphn erelconcavties constituting substantiel depertures from the normal predetermined forni oi the nieces.

5.. A sorting-machine having, incoinhino tion, feeling-ineens for engaging the periphery of en article formed of sheety materiel, and'incans, controlled by the feeling-ineens, for entomaticll),7 discharging the article :it one point or another according` as it does or 'docs not embody a suhstantiai departure from n certain shape.

6. A sortingn'lachine having, in combination, lelers arranged to engage different parts of the sinfece of an article, and ineens, controlled h v the 'eelers, for holding :in article in position to be engaged, and for thereafter discharging the article et one point or another according as any ofthe vlfeelcrs do or do not, when the article is in said position, occupy n position other than that which they would occupy when in enpredetermin l peripheral gngenient; `with an article of predeterminedA normal forni.

7. A sorting-.niechine for detecting imperfections in the contour of articles having, in comhinetion, eelers; means for moving the feclers into engagen'ient of the periphery of enarticle; and mechenism, controlled by the feelers, for dischargingthe varticle at one point or another eccording nc any of 'the teelers do or do not,`

when in engagement with the article, occupy e position other than that which they Would occiqiyY when in engagement with. anerticle of predetermined normal contourv with different perte 8. sorting-machine having, in cornbinaf tion, feelers; means for movingr Athe `ieelers into engagement with dili'erent-parts of the periphery of an article: and mechanism, controlled hy the `feelers', for discharging the article at. one Apoint or another according asany of the eelers do or do not, when in engegement with the article, projectI Within the space occupied bv an article ,of a predetermined norinal contour.

9. A sorting-inzichine having, in lcombinetion, feelin-S arranged to engage different of the surface of an article; and means, controlled hv the icclers and comprising e teniplet, 'for discherging;` the article at one point or another according es any of the feelers do or do not, when the article is in scid position, occupy :i positionfother than which is noty occupied 'by anj7 of' the eelezs tliat Wliioli tliey'would occupy when in engageinent with an article oi' a'foi'in sort-esponding to that of the ten'iplet.

l0. A. sorting-machine having, in coinlninto simultaneous engagement with clinicienparts of tliesuiface of an aitiele; a tempmeans for moving the teinplet in a .si cI nation, eelers; means foi' moving tides; feder-mechanism comprising rality of feelers for engaging the edge oi an article; aV holder adaptedto hold an en ticle during the operation of `the eelen mechanism thereon; and means for moving the holden first into position to receive an article from said supply. tlien into position to present the article to the eeennieeiiamsm, and then to a point of diseliarge. *i

12. A sorting-machine having, in coinei!V nation, eelers arranged to engage dii-Tieten?, points on the peiipheal edge of a lieei lift; and mea-ns for pesenting a heel-nit te the feeleis and for thereafter disenaiging the lift at one or another point accoiding to the positions occupied by the 'eeleis when in engagement with the lift.

1B. A sorting-machine having, in combination, feelers arranged to engage diifeent points on the edge oi' a heel-lift; nieans oi holding a stack of lifts; a picker adapted 'to seize and hold a lift by engagement with the face of the lift; means for niovin picker into engagement with lift stack, then into position to present the n Jdie ieders, and then to a discharging position.; and means for causing the pielieit to release the lift at a point determined ly tiie position assumed by the eelers when in en gagenient With the lift.

14. A. sorting-machine having, in @einen nation, means for holding a supply of iifts to be sorted; holders for stacks of lifts sorted according to their edge cont-oma; means foi1 detecting Variations in the ont linesv of the lifts and means for conveying a lift, from the supply to the deteetingnieansand then to one oi anothei ef said holders, under the control oi the detecting means. Y

l5. in a sorting-machine the eombination of a series of eelers movable in a ear on A plane and substantially in radiai diieeiens toward a common center; means for, se moving the feeleis simultaneous@ yields `f "USERS IG? ineenan in $0 .,ei'ies o' de t of an an; ele with its ci' detect detectors to f port i the #machine 1- ipiisine Se n if. iid. a l ineens to sin).L one eiinit the i'iee operation el? tlae edge tlieie; a litt pattern;

lie iqeeies te con e5 patten, and nieans for die @hangin d liit in one place or anetliei aecoifdn es it does oi dees not Coifespond to sain at 9g nati n f pieces sin/et e to liold .v ion; a ieceiving denieens viees to t'ne s' operate i detseting e of material ioin "dejiee and eviee.

in @einleie i g sappig el to lee .l oi'niation; ieeeivingin ei'niation; alie aetieie Afreni ire supply# esent it :o the deteeoii :ice a i', to feceiv- 110- "iine foi' sorting aitieles of rlieei.

.o liar-ing7 in combination, e detee ingoe supplydevice; a pin ity oi" neceivi devices; a plurality of liolders le movable. between said devices; ineens to rotate the lioideis to take articles from the suppl; evi-ee, present tnein to the deteeting devise id delifei 'tlieni' to a ieoeivingde'- vice; aiwicle gasping ineens in tlie 'noldes 3.29'

movable tv ,ioni said devices; and e conteo; ei sein detectingepeia aid' ias feeling-means for automaticallyr discharging the article 'at one point or another according as it does or does not contain a projection or concavit'y on its peripheral edge which embodies a substantial departure from the contour of a perfect similar lift.'

22. A sorting-machine having.- in combination7 a detecting-device: devices for supporting articles in stack formation; an article holder: means to move the holder into positions opposite said devices; article grasping mechanism mounted in said holder; means to move said grasping mechanism toward and from said devices; ant"` a selective cam for controlling the operation of said last named means. y v

23. A stacking-mechanism comprising: a receiving-device to support articles in stack formation comprising. a bottom-support. and a pair of vieldingly pressed side arms to bear against the sides of the articles; a feed member for the intake end of, said clevice: and means to operate said feed mem` ber to force blanks between the side arms.

24. A stacking-mechanism comprising; a receiving device to support articles in stack formation: means to deliver articles to said device: and a helical member operable to stach' articles in said de ice.

25. A machine of the character described having. in combination. means for operating on l lifts means to advance lifts to the operating means: a receiving device in the form of a mgazine': andy continuouslyv rotating mechamgm arranged to engage the marginal edge o lifts delivered froin said operating means and advance them through the magazine.

:26. A machine of the character described having. in combination. means for operating flo lifts; means to advance lifts to the operatfinof means: a receiving device in the form of i ,n c

jaa magazine: and continuously rotatable mfechamsm mounted at each side of the magazinefito'f engage opposite sides of the lmarginal fedgle; of liftsdelivered from said operating mea'hs and :Iidvance Ithem through the magazine. i;

27. A staclcing-mechaifism comprisingf` a receiving device to support articles in stack formation: a helical blade mounted at each side of the device: holding means timed to place anl article against'rear portions of thc blades at the time the leading edges of the blades are separated: and means to rotate the blades .to force the"`v article into said device. i

'25. stacking-mechanism comprising: a receiving device to support articles in stack formation; a helical blade mounted at cach sideof the device: means to place an article between the convolutions of the blades: and means to rotate the blades to force the article into said device.

29. In a sorting-machine a feeling device comprising a series of fee'lcrs arranged in a circle and movable radially toward a common center; means to supportan article at their center; means to vieldingly force the feelers into engagement with the article to determine the contour of the article, and means for dischargingsaid article at one point or another in accordance with the contour of the article acted upon.

30. In a sorting-machine a feeling device, comprising a series of feelers arranged yin a circle and movable radially toward a vcommon center; means to support an article at their center; means to yieldingly force the feelers into engagement with the article;

means to compare the contour determined by the feelers with a pattern of a similar perfeet article, and means for discharging said article at one point or another according as the contour of the article correspondsl to or varies from that of the pattern. y

31. A machine for sorting articles having. in combination. means for detecting an7 variation from a standard contour over a substantial area of a surface thereof. and means under the control of said detecting means for separating the articles that varv from the standard.

32. A machine for sorting articles having'. in combination` detecting means for determining the character of a substantialarea of a surface thereof and means for sorting said articles in accordance with the determinations of said detecting means.

33. A machine for sorting shoe stock having, in combination. testing means acting upon. e. surface thereof for detecting any imperfection in the contour thereof, and means for separating the perfect and imperfect stock in accordance with the detections of said testing means.

34. A machine for sorting shoe stock having. in combination. means for testing one of the surfaces of said stock to detectany variations thereof from a standard surface contour. and means controlled bv said testing means for sorting the stock into groups according as the sui ace conforms to or varies from the standard contour.

35. A machine for sorting shoe stock having. in combination. a plurality of feelers for engaging a sutlicient number of points of a surface thereof to determine its contour and means controlled b v said feelers for 50i-ting the. stock in accordance with the. determined contour.

3G. A machine for sorting shoe stock having. in combination. movable feelers for engaging a surface of said stock for determining its contour. said fcclcrs being relativelv movable if the contour departs from a standard. and being rclativel) stationary if the contour conforms thereto; and means cony trollcd b v the relative movement of said feclcrs for separating the stock that departs from thc standard 3?. A sorting machine havinff. in combination, means for detectingr aniv imperfections in the margin:`1 outline oi a series of articles; and automatic means controlled by said detecting means for sorting said articles into groups in accordance with the variations of their marginal outlines.

38. A sorting machine having, in combinationymeans for detecting` imperfections in the shape of the marginal edges ot a series of articles; and means controllml h v said. detecting means tor separating-r the articlesv automatically into groups et perfect and imperfect articles.

39. sorting machine having, in combination, a templet, means for detecting any variations in form of the articles operated upon from that of the templet, and means for sorting the articles in accordance with the action of said last means.

40. A sorting machine having, in combination, means tor detectimT the outline of a plurality of articles, a templet; means for moving the teinplet into operative relation with said detecting means to compare the outlines of the tested articles to that of the templet, and means for distributing said articles according as they do or do not conform. to the outline of the templet.

'movable lietiveen said devices; means il. sorting' machine having, in combination; means for holding a supply of articles; means for detecting imperfections in the marginal outlines of the articles; and means for receiving the articles from said supply, presenting' them to said detecting incans7 and then discharging them in accordance with the action oi' said detecting means.

42. sorting machine having, in combination. a detecting device; a supply-devic; a recei\.-'ing-device; a pluralityv of pickers for rotating said pickers and causing them to successivcljiY take articles from the supplydevice; present them to said detectinmdevice and deliver them to said receivingevice.

43. sorting machine having, in combination, a rotatable picker mechanism conn prising a plurality et radially disposed pickers; a supply-device, a testiiig-clevice, and a plurality1 of receiving devices disposed radially around said picker mechanism; means for causing the respective pickers to successively take articles from said supplydevice7 present them to said testing-device and discharge them into one or the other of said receiving devices.

' ERASTUS E. WLTKLEY. 

